A method for producing metallic iron wherein a mixture containing a carbonaceous reducing agent and iron oxides is supplied onto the hearth of a traveling reduction melting furnace and is heated to reduce and melt the iron oxide and the resultant metallic iron is cooled and then is discharged to the outside of the furnace and recovered, which comprises spreading, in advance, a hearth material having a powdery or granular form all over the hearth into a layer, to form a renewable hearth, prior to the supply of the raw material mixture, removing a part or all of the renewable hearth having been deteriorated in the operation of the furnace, supplying a new hearth material to renew the renewable hearth, leveling out the renewed hearth, and then supplying the above mixture to produce metallic iron. The method allows the easy removal and restoration even when a powder of metallic iron is buried in the surface of the hearth or the hearth is infiltrated or eroded by a slag, which results in the improvement of the availability and the easiness in the maintenance of a hearth and leads to the continuous operation of the hearth for a long period.